Islanders Host Crunch at 10:30 a.m.

Nov 14, 2023

THE STORY COMING IN

The Bridgeport Islanders (4-6-1-0) tangle with the Syracuse Crunch (6-3-0-2) at 10:30 a.m. this morning as part of their annual Fall Fun 101: School Day event at Total Mortgage Arena. Today’s game completes a four-game homestand for the Islanders, who have earned points in four of their first five games on home ice this season (3-1-1-0). Last time out, Ruslan Iskhakov scored two goals, including the game-winner in overtime, as Bridgeport downed the Springfield Thunderbirds 2-1 on Saturday. Samuel Asselin assisted on both goals and Ken Appleby (2-2-0) made 20 saves for his second straight victory.

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WATCH ONLINE: www.ahltv.com

LISTEN LIVE: https://isles-radio.mixlr.com/

GAME AT A GLANCE

Today’s game marks the second and final meeting between the Islanders and Crunch this season, and the only matchup at Total Mortgage Arena. Syracuse took the first meeting 4-2 on Oct. 14th, led by Felix Robert’s two points (1g, 1a). Brian Pinho and Jackson Cates had Bridgeport’s tallies, while Ruslan Iskhakov notched two assists. The Islanders went 1-1-0-0 against the Crunch last season, including a 5-2 win at home on St. Patrick’s Day.

VIEW FROM SYRACUSE

Tampa Bay’s affiliate ended a three-game losing streak with a convincing, 6-3 victory against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Saturday. Syracuse improved to 4-1-0-1 on the road this season and enters today’s game fourth in the North Division. Forwards Maxim Groshev and Michael Chaffee each scored twice and Gage Goncalves had three points (1g, 2a) to pave the way on Saturday. Leading scorer Felix Robert added two assists and is now tied for 11th in the AHL with 13 points (6g, 7a) in 11 games. Former Bridgeport defenseman Joel Bouchard (2005-07) is in his first season as Crunch head coach, taking over on June 26th after spending last season as head coach in San Diego.   

PUCKS WITH YOUR PANCAKES

Today’s 10:30 a.m. puck drop is one of two morning games for the Islanders this season. They will also host the Utica Comets at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Apr. 2nd. Thousands of students from local schools and area youth groups will be in attendance. Bridgeport went 2-0-0-0 in games that began prior to noon last season – both at home. Both contests went beyond regulation, with the Islanders beating Charlotte in a shootout (4-3, Nov. 1, 2022) and Springfield in overtime (4-3, Apr. 4, 2023).